New York - Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani, Governor Kathy Hochul, Gotham FC and New York City FC announced today that Gotham FC - the two-time, reigning National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) champion - will make Etihad Park in Queens its permanent home beginning in 2028.
The move will bring one of the world's premier women's soccer clubs to New York City's first soccer-specific stadium - creating a permanent home for professional women's soccer in the five boroughs, giving supporters a world-class matchday experience, and putting three million people within a 75-minute bus, subway, or Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) ride of Gotham FC.
Today's announcement builds on the Mamdani administration's commitment to making the world's game accessible to every New Yorker . Over the last year, the administration has expanded affordable access to Gotham FC and 2026 FIFA World Cup™ matches, created new opportunities for young people to play soccer in every borough and invested in public spaces where New Yorkers can gather to enjoy the game together.
"From Sam Kerr's legendary four-goal comeback to Midge Purce's championship-clinching heroics, Gotham FC has given us some of the greatest moments in women's soccer. Now the next electrifying chapter of that story will be written in New York City," said Mayor Mamdani. "Bringing Gotham FC to Queens means that the young girl kicking a ball around Jackson Heights, Jamaica or the South Bronx will be able to take the train and watch some of the best players in the world in her own city. It means more customers for neighborhood restaurants, more visitors filling our hotels and, most importantly, a permanent home for world-class women's soccer in the greatest city in the world."
"New York State is home to some of the world's greatest sports teams, and we couldn't be more excited to officially add the reigning NWSL Champions, Gotham FC, to our ranks," said Governor Hochul. "Now residents and visitors alike will be able to experience our premier women's soccer team right here in New York City at our first-ever soccer specific stadium - giving players and fans the world-class experience they deserve."
"From day one, our ambition has been bigger than championships," said Carolyn Tisch Blodgett, Gotham FC Governor. "We are building one of the world's most iconic clubs and helping define the future of women's sports. Our move to Etihad Park reflects that ambition, and we are deeply grateful to New York City FC for their vision and commitment to helping make this historic moment possible. World-class athletes deserve world-class environments, and this move allows us to keep raising the standard for our players, supporters and the game itself. Gotham FC is showing what is possible when you invest boldly in women's soccer, and we are committed to building an experience worthy of the fans who have believed in this club from the beginning."
"We are thrilled to welcome Gotham FC to Etihad Park as both of our clubs enter an exciting new chapter. New York City FC and Gotham FC share a belief in what soccer can mean to this city, and with Gotham FC making their home alongside us in what will be a truly world-class soccer stadium in Queens, we have an extraordinary platform to help shape the future of the game in New York City together," said Brad Sims, New York City FC CEO. "Etihad Park will be a place where the world's game comes to life in the world's city for our players, our supporters, our communities, and the next generation of fans. We are proud to call Gotham FC our partner and excited for the future we will build together."
"The Queens Classic is exactly the kind of world-class sporting event that showcases New York City's unmatched energy and brings visitors and New Yorkers together," said NYC Tourism + Conventions President & CEO Julie Coker. "As the global spotlight remains on our region during an extraordinary summer of soccer, opportunities like this help introduce new fans to the excitement of women's sports while reinforcing New York City as one of the world's premier destinations for major sporting events."
The agreement reflects a shared commitment by Gotham FC, New York City FC and the Mamdani administration to establish New York as a global capital for professional soccer. For Gotham FC, the move follows the club's first continental title and a second NWSL championship in three seasons; for New York City, it comes amidst the 2026 FIFA World Cup™ and the Mamdani administration's efforts to expand access to soccer to every New Yorker. Earlier this year, Mayor Mamdani and Gotham FC released 1,000 tickets priced at $5 each to the club's May 9th match against the Boston Legacy, offering the public affordable opportunities to watch professional women's soccer.
Opening in spring 2027, Etihad Park will be New York City's first soccer-specific stadium as well as the country's first all-electric outdoor sports venue. Privately funded by City Football Group and being built entirely with union labor, New York City FC will begin playing at Etihad Park during the 2027 Major League Soccer (MLS) season, with Gotham FC joining in 2028. In addition to MLS and NWSL matches, the stadium is expected to host international soccer matches, Olympic soccer matches in 2028, concerts and other major events, further elevating New York City's status a global soccer capital.
Gotham FC supporters can place season ticket deposits beginning at $28 today at gothamfc.com/nyc for Gotham FC's inaugural season at Etihad Park in 2028. Existing season ticket members who renew for the 2027 season will retain priority access, while new supporters can join the list beginning today. Additional information on seat selection, premium hospitality and season ticket member benefits will be announced in the coming months.
The 25,000-seat stadium will feature dedicated spaces for Gotham FC, including a permanent locker room and club merchandise throughout the venue. Fans will also enjoy the Five Boroughs Food Hall, featuring gathering spaces and local small businesses representing each borough.
Gotham FC supporters will get their first look at the team's future borough next Wednesday during The Queens Classic at Citi Field, when Gotham FC faces the Washington Spirit in a rematch of the NWSL Championship before an expected crowd of more than 40,000.
This summer marks the club's largest infrastructure advancement to date, delivering on its ambition to become one of the world's leading women's soccer clubs and bolster New York City's future.
"To the reigning NWSL champions, welcome home. We couldn't be prouder to call Gotham FC our newest neighbors here in Queens, as we continue to bring world-class soccer to The World's Borough and its families who maintain an unmatched passion for the beautiful game," said Queens Borough President Donovan Richards. "With Gotham FC's coming move to Etihad Park, we can't wait to see generations of young girls across Queens grow up idolizing Rose, Tierna, Bruninha and the countless inspirational superstars that will come after them. In bringing yet another elite professional sports team to Queens, the soccer capital of the country, we have scored a remarkable goal for New York City and the sport of soccer."
"Gotham FC's move to Etihad Park is another milestone in the continued evolution of our league," said Jessica Berman, National Women's Soccer League Commissioner. "As our clubs create permanent homes that are both world-class and easily accessible, they are strengthening the connection with existing supporters while making it easier for new fans to experience the excitement of the NWSL firsthand. This announcement reflects Gotham FC's ambition, reinforces New York's role as one of the world's premier soccer markets, and demonstrates how infrastructure can help grow the game for generations to come."
"Moving into Etihad Park is a defining moment for this organization. Our players compete at the highest level in the world every single time they step on the pitch, and our matchday will reflect that standard," said Yael Averbuch West, Gotham FC President of Soccer Operations. "Access to dedicated facilities, permanent infrastructure and a modern stadium built for soccer in the world's most famous city creates the environment our players need to sustain and build on their excellent on-field performance."
"Etihad Park and this historic agreement provide us with a foundation to further establish Gotham FC as a premier global club. This is a pivotal moment that drives our commercial expansion, fan and partner engagement, and our capacity to create a matchday environment befitting our elite players and supporters," said Mark Zarthar, Gotham FC President of Business Operations. "The support of the New York-New Jersey community has propelled this club to two championships, and this is the world-class matchday experience our players, fans and partners deserve."
"This is a very important moment for Gotham FC because it reflects the commitment of the club to keep investing in the team and in the future we are building together. The players and staff work incredibly hard every day to create a team that competes at the highest level. For the club, for the players and especially for our supporters, Etihad Park is going to bring another level of energy," said Juan Carlos Amorós, Gotham FC head coach. "We want it to become a place where our fans can push us, where people feel proud to come and where Gotham FC can continue showing what this team and this club can be."
"Our move to New York City is a statement by our club leadership that they know we have something special at Gotham FC, and they are committed to ensuring we have the resources and environments to support our continued success," said Tierna Davidson, Gotham FC defender and club captain. "That means everything to the players at this club, and we are looking forward to playing in a world-class stadium and sharing this next chapter with our supporters."
"Being a part of this club's journey for more than a decade, I know how much this moment means. So many people have poured everything into helping Gotham FC get here, from the players and staff to the supporters who believed in us long before the championships and the big moments," said Mandy Freeman, Gotham FC defender and longest-tenured player. "To know where we started and see where we are going now is really special. This move reflects what this club has become, and I'm most excited for everyone who has been with us every step of the way to experience it with us."
"This club has such a special group of people and such amazing fans, and this move, along with the new training center, is a big step in our journey together," said Rose Lavelle, Gotham FC midfielder and leadership group member. "As a player, you want to play in world-class facilities that feel like home, and it'll be really exciting to do that in New York City at Etihad Park."
"From the earliest days of planning Etihad Park, our vision was for it to be more than the home of New York City FC," said Marty Edelman, New York City FC Co-Vice Chairman. "We set out to create a venue that would bring the world's game to the world's borough and showcase soccer at the highest level, including women's soccer. Welcoming Gotham FC to Etihad Park is an important step in delivering on that promise and building a world-class home for the game in New York City. We are grateful to Carolyn and the entire Gotham ownership group for their partnership in making this moment possible, and we look forward to working together to elevate the game, inspire the next generation, and shape the future of soccer in New York City and beyond."
